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The Da Vinci Code : Just the Facts THE BOOK Author: First release: March 18, 2003 (hardcover) by Doubleday Second release: March 28, 2006 (paperback) by Anchor Copies sold worldwide: 45 million THE MOVIE Release: May 19, 2006 Director: Ron Howard Producer: Brian Grazer Writers: Dan Brown (novel), Akiva Goldsman (screenplay) Cast: Tom Hanks, Audrey Tautou, Ian McKellen, Alfred Molina ince March 2003, Dan Brown’s novel, MPAA rating: PG-13 , has sold more than 40 million Production co.: Columbia Pictures and Imagine Entertainment copies worldwide. By any standard, the book is a Distributor: Sony Pictures Production budget: $125 million S publishing success, and its popularity has brought its author wealth and influence. Brown made more than $75 million last year alone and was #12 on Forbes And that’s saying something. It would be bad enough magazine’s list of most influential celebrities — ahead of that Brown has gone into New Age overdrive by trying Letterman and Michael Jordan. to draw together the Grail, , the The book has actually received mixed reviews. Templar, the Priory of Sion, , Novelist Nelson DeMille exclaimed, “Dan Brown has to Fibonacci Numbers, the Isis Cult, and the Age of be one of the best, smartest, and most accomplished Aquarius, but he has done it so sloppily.” writers in the country … this is pure So what gives? How can a mediocre book cause genius.” The New York Daily News such a stir? Why is the movie version of the book being wrote, “His research is touted as the “cultural event of the decade”? impeccable.” This issue of TORCH is dedicated to making sense On the other hand, Laura of The Da Vinci Code … not simply to grapple with its Miller at Salon.com countered, message, refute its assertions, or even to expose its error. “The Da Vinci Code has characters There are many excellent Web sites and resources so thin they’re practically transparent, available to help Christians do those things. Rather, my ludicrous dialogue, and prose that’s passion is that we will go one step further and see 100 percent cliché.” Celebrated writer The Da Vinci Code as an opportunity: Salmon Rushdie added, “The Da Vinci Code is so bad it makes bad • an opportunity to peer into the window of our books look good.” The most Postmodern culture stinging review came from • an opportunity to engage our culture with the Peter Millar of The London heart and mind of Christ Times. He wrote, “This is • an opportunity to share the Truth with people without doubt, the silliest, who are spiritually hungry most inaccurate, ill- So, while The Da Vinci Code readers “seek the truth,” informed, stereotype- let’s be there to listen, answer questions, and point them driven, quaff-eared, to the source of Truth. Indeed, the Truth will set us free! cardboard-cutout- populated piece of pulp fiction that I have read. Dr. Bill Brown Cedarville University President

2 TORCH / Summer 2006 Editor’s Notes Features everal months ago, Dr. Hayes Wicker S(senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Naples, Florida, and a Cedarville University The Heart of the Conspiracy 4 trustee) asked Dr. Brown to address his congregation on the subject of The Da We’ve been fooled, or so claims Vinci Code. Thus began Dr. Brown’s The Da Vinci Code. To seek the Truth, personal journey of reading, first understand the alleged conspiracy. understanding, researching, writing, and responding to The Da Vinci Code. In addition to the presentation at It’s Time to Seek the Truth 6 First Baptist, Dr. Brown addressed the University family in chapel on April 3 on The historic and biblical understanding the subject of The Da Vinci Code. With of , the early church, and the keen public interest in the book and do not fare well in movie, local media have also approached The Da Vinci Code. Dr. Brown as a source for expert commentary. Dr. Brown’s blog entries (www.xanga.com/billbrown) on the subject have also been widely read. Christians and the Movies 12 This issue of TORCH features American entertainment shapes the values Dr. Brown’s research and perspectives on and behaviors of our culture. How should The Da Vinci Code. You will learn from we respond? his insights and careful study. You will be challenged by his passion to engage the culture with the heart and mind of Christ. We hope you’ll be reminded to pray for How Did Leonardo Dr. Brown and for Cedarville. Get Involved in All This? 14 We continually need God’s wisdom and direction to fulfill our mission to Leonardo was the Renaissance man. equip students for lifelong leadership and Was he also a conspirator? service through an education marked by excellence and grounded in biblical truth.

Make the Most Editor Cedarville TORCH David Ormsbee Vol. 27, No. 1, Summer 2006 Published by of the Opportunity 16 Managing Editor Cedarville University Dr. Bill Brown, President The message ofThe Da Vinci Code is no Janice Supplee NO PAID SUBSCRIPTIONS Associate Editor Cedarville TORCH doubt disturbing, but God may have a Kara DeMusz is published for alumni and friends of Cedarville University. much greater work in mind. Proofreader Direct comments and requests for Wendy Orchard extra copies to: Managing Editor Senior Designer Cedarville TORCH Michael Bieniek 251 N. Main St. Cedarville, OH 45314 Photography 937-766-7808 Joining the Conversation 18 [email protected] Scott Huck www.cedarville.edu Reading opens exciting opportunities to 1-800-CEDARVILLE participate in significant and thought- ISSN 1093-4618 provoking conversations.

Summer 2006 / TORCH 3 BY DR. BILL BROWN

o doubt the subject we think He is. The early church is not what matter surrounding we were taught it was. The New Testament is NThe Da Vinci Code nowhere close to what it should be. We have has captured the imagination been duped, and the truth has been kept from of millions. The ripple effects us by the greatest conspiracy the world has ever of the story are seen from London (not) known. courtrooms to cable documentaries. Six of the top 20 best-selling books in the “Christian” Not a bad premise for a book that covers only 24 category on Amazon.com are derived from hours and includes murder, kidnapping, secret The Da Vinci Code’s major thesis. What is this organizations, albino monks, and dead knights. thesis embedded in The Da Vinci Code? I don’t want to reveal the story to you because Simply this: We’ve been fooled. you may plan on either reading the book or seeing the movie. It is in the genre of a thriller By “we,” I mean Christians in particular and with lots of action and plot twists. Instead of the in general. Jesus is not who evaluating the story (which is rather predictable

4 TORCH / Summer 2006 According to The Da Vinci Code, the following is really what happened in the first few centuries of the Christian era: and manipulative), I will describe the core Jesus Christ was a good man – a powerful teacher who taught love and of the larger controversy: the conspiracy, the morality. He gathered together a group of followers who spread His teachings cover-up, and the truth. throughout the region of Palestine. When Roman and Jewish leaders saw His popularity as a threat, they worked together to eliminate Him.

Remember that both the novel and the Like most Jewish men of his time, Jesus was married. In fact, according to movie are fiction. However, in today’s world The Da Vinci Code, he married Miriam of Magdela, whom we know as many people have a problem separating Mary Magdalene, and they had a daughter whom they named Sarah. After truth from fiction. Any movie that hints Jesus’ death on the cross, which was merely a political execution, Mary and at real historical events takes on an daughter Sarah moved to where the line of Jesus continued, perpetuated authoritative and interpretative role in the through a royal family of leaders in France. minds of many. Some, for example, think Mary was not only the mother of the bloodline of Jesus; she was the recognized that the 1960 movie Inherit the Wind is leader of the early church. In fact, the early church practiced several forms of really what happened in the Scopes Trial in worship of the sacred feminine. The conspiracy goes on to state that more than 80 gospels were written that tell the true story of these early years.

The early church continued in goddess worship until the fourth century when Emperor Constantine, in an effort to consolidate his power, decided he needed Remember that both this growing religion to reflect a social structure that would be more helpful to him politically. He called a council of church leaders in A.D. 325 in Nicea. According to the conspiracy, this council of more than 300 early church leaders the novel and the narrowly voted to designate Jesus as divine; ordered the destruction of all but the four gospels that taught that Jesus was divine; and ruled that all the writings movie are fiction. that described the sacred feminine were to be destroyed. Thus, the Christianity we have been taught all these years is a fiction, created by the pagan emperor Constantine in one sweeping political act.

Constantine, however, was not able to wipe out all remnants of the “truth” about the early church. It was preserved through the Medieval Period and then Dayton, Tennessee, in 1925. Oliver Stone by a known as the Priory of Sion formed in 1099. Throughout the is notorious for his reinterpretation of subsequent centuries, the Priory included such notables as Leonardo da Vinci, historical events, from 1991’s JFK to 2004’s Botticelli, , and Victor Hugo. This group preserved the truth and Alexander. passed it on from generation to generation. The focus of this truth is found in the secret of the “.” Throughout The conspiracies supposedly behind The history, the Grail has been seen as the chalice or cup that Jesus used at the Da Vinci Code are broader and deeper than Last Supper. The chalice supposedly had mystical powers because it held the anything that have come to the screen blood of Jesus. According to the conspiracy, the word for “Holy Grail” is really before. One woman was quoted as saying, “royal blood.” The search is not for a chalice but for a person: Mary Magdalene. “I read The Da Vinci Code and I will never Through her, the blood of Jesus is held in the line of descendants. go back to church again.” I have spoken to a The story goes on to make a startling claim: there are documents which prove number of Christians who say they refuse to that Jesus and Mary Magdalene were married and reveal the truth about the read the book because they are afraid it will first two and a half centuries of the early church. The organized church cannot damage their faith. It is definitely time to afford for these documents to be made public. Imagine the devastating impact “seek the truth”! T this “truth” would have on the organized church. For that reason, the church has worked to keep it hidden. An organization called , says Brown, is a Catholic sect attempting to maintain the power of the church by keeping this information from being revealed. Opus Dei will use any means necessary, including assassination and extortion.

Summer 2006 / TORCH 5 It’s Time to Seek the Truth

6 TORCH / Summer 2006 he conspiracy does seem a bit far-fetched. So, what is true and what is not? What is T true is this: • There reallyis a Priory of Sion. • There reallyis an Opus Dei. • Documents describing the marriage of Jesus to Mary Magdalene and other information about the early church were discovered in the National Library of France in 1975.

Sounds like the makings of a good book! In fact, it was.

The book,Holy Blood, Holy Grail, was published in 1982 purporting to tell the true story of Jesus Christ and the early church using those documents discovered in 1975. The Da Vinci Code follows the major themes and plots of Holy Blood, Holy Grail; so much so, that the authors and Dan Brown were involved in a lawsuit over copyright issues. So how do we sort all of this out?

The Priory of Sion was not a secret society founded in 1099. Rather, it was a social group put together by in 1954 with a group of friends. Outrageous claims were made about past societies of the same name, but Plantard admits it was merely a group he founded and soon thereafter disbanded. He admitted under oath he constructed the so- called secret documents and placed them in the National Library to be “discovered.” They received a great deal of attention before his were revealed. The authors ofHoly Blood, Holy Grail considered them to be authentic, not knowing that churches around the world. Three thousand Plantard had admitted the . members are in the United States. Millions participate in their programs in 60 countries. Opus Dei is portrayed in The Da Vinci Code as a The mission of the organization is to help the sect whose members include monks and assassins average person integrate Catholic faith into daily (and monks who are assassins). The book describes life. Opus Dei is not a sect or church, has no Opus Dei as a powerful organization that once monks, and assuredly, no assassins. bailed out the Catholic Church and the Vatican bank, thus receiving special favors from the Pope. Needless to say, the conspiracy, cover-up, and The truth is, Opus Dei was founded in Spain intrigue make for an exciting story, even if the in 1928 by a Catholic priest, Josemaría Escrivá. organizations have no resemblance to what they Currently there are 83,000 lay members in Catholic really are. It is a novel.

Summer 2006 / TORCH 7 The story has an aura of intellectual acceptability Who Was Jesus? because of historic locations, the references to works of art, and the often untranslated French and Latin. The historic and biblical understanding of Jesus Brown makes it appear that Leonardo da Vinci hid does not fare well in The Da Vinci Code.Two major the secret of Jesus’ relationship to Mary Magdalene challenges are made: Jesus was only raised to the in his art and highlighted the sacred feminine status of deity by the Council of Nicea in A.D. 325 character of the early church in his other works. and that Jesus married Mary Magdalene and had a daughter. For example, in The Last Supper we are told the figure to the right of Jesus is not the Apostle John, The Da Vinci Code states, “Jesus’ establishment but rather Mary Magdalene. The character inThe as the ‘Son of God’ was officially proposed and Da Vinci Code explaining this interpretation goes voted on by the Council of Nicea ... [and it was] a to great lengths to point out that the person in the relatively close vote at that” (p. 233). The character painting has such feminine characteristics that it goes on to say, “Until that moment in history, Jesus could be no one else. What he forgot to explain was viewed by his followers as a mortal prophet … is that Jesus is at the table with His 12 disciples. a great and powerful man, but a man nonetheless. Which disciple is missing? The fact that the By officially endorsing Jesus as the Son of God, character looks feminine is not unusual for artists Constantine turned Jesus into a deity” (p. 233). of the Italian Renaissance such as Michelangelo, Botticelli, and Cellini. Notice Leonardo’s painting The truth of the matter is, of course, the New St. John the Baptist, and you’ll see another example Testament proclaims unequivocally that Jesus Christ of this technique, which was also present in many is indeed God incarnate. He is called “God” artist’s works of the day. numerous times in the New Testament (Titus 2:13; Romans 9:5; John 1:1; etc.), and His role as Creator But what about the specific claims made by the is matter-of-factly stated (Col. 1:16). Jesus clearly book? There are far too many to discuss in this brief takes on the prerogatives of God when He forgives article, so let me focus on three key elements of the sin (Mark 2:1-12), describes His role as the conspiracy: Jesus Christ, the early church, and the apocalyptic Judge of all (John 5:25, 29), and New Testament. confirms His identity with God (John 10:30).

8 TORCH / Summer 2006 The acceptance of Jesus’ deity was not a fringe belief married: “The marriage of Jesus and Mary but was the nexus of early church faith and practice. Magdalene is part of the historical record” (p. 245). Further, The Da Vinci Code states, “The Last Supper Further, the early church leaders thought that practically shouts to the viewer that Jesus and Mary Jesus Christ was God: Ignatius of Antioch (circa were a pair” (p. 244). The misinterpretation of A.D. 110), Tatian of Syria (circa A.D. 170), Leonardo’s The Last Supper has already been Clement of Alexandria (circa A.D. 190), Tertullian discussed, but the claim that the marriage of Jesus (circa A.D. 210), and Origen (circa A.D. 255). All and Mary Magdalene is a part of the historical of these acknowledged leaders clearly recognized the record is difficult to understand. There are no deity of Jesus Christ. Remember, this was not a time historical records that say Jesus and Mary were of peace and prosperity for the church. Christians married. Even the Gnostic writings of the second were oppressed, but the through the fourth century leadership was strong and never make this claim. In correct doctrine was vital. fact, if Jesus and Mary had The truth of the been married, the Apostle In fact, it was because of Paul would no doubt have the question of the deity matter is, of course, mentioned him in of Jesus that the Council I Corinthians 9:5 when he of Nicea was called. is giving support for wives Arius, a church leader the New Testament traveling with the apostles; in Alexandria, North “Don’t we have the right to Africa, taught that Jesus proclaims take a believing wife along Christ was not divine but with us, as do the other a created being. More apostles and the Lord’s than 300 church leaders unequivocally brothers and Cephas?” gathered in Nicea to deal Paul seemed to know all with this false teaching. that Jesus Christ the apostles who had Arius’ teaching was ruled believing wives who to be heresy, and the is indeed God traveled with them, and leaders developed what we Jesus’ example would have know today as the Nicene outshone them all. Creed. In this creed, Jesus incarnate. is described as “true God Mary Magdalene certainly from true God, begotten, was in a privileged position not made, one in Being with the Father. Through among those who traveled with the apostles and Him all things were made.” It was certainly not a Jesus. We first meet her in Luke 8:1-3 where she is “close vote” as described in The Da Vinci Code. Of described as one from whom Jesus cast out demons. the more than 300 leaders there, only two did not She was among the women who traveled with sign the Creed. the apostles and provided for them out of their resources. So the deity of Jesus Christ firmly established in the scriptures and in the early church was confirmed at The last mention of Mary Magdalene occurs when the Council of Nicea. she appears in the resurrection accounts (Mark 15:40-16:11; John 20:1-2). She is the first to see In an apparent attempt to make Jesus even less the risen Christ and the first to deliver the Easter divine, The Da Vinci Code claims that Jesus was message “He is risen.”

Summer 2006 / TORCH 9 religion forever” (p. 124). The charge is that the entire body and soul of the early church was the complete opposite of what has been passed on in the centuries since Constantine. According to The Da Vinci Code, early Christians did not gather in catacombs and grow in personal holiness, rather they gathered to celebrate mystical union with God through sexual acts. The divine feminine has been left out,The Da Vinci Code claims, even from the Old Testament where God’s name “Jehovah” is a combination of the Hebrew idea of the male God “Yahweh” and the first woman “Eve.” This revelation that the very name of God is a combination of the male and female makes many slap their heads and say, “I never knew that!” However, it is both wrong and silly. Even the most basic student of the knows that the English name “Jehovah” is a combination of the consonants of “Yahweh” and the vowels of “Adonai” — both Hebrew names for God. This truth, however, does not fit in with the story, so history must be changed.

The idea that Constantine could completely and forever eradicate these centuries of history is incredulous. The truth about the early church is not all that difficult to discover. Early Christians were persecuted by the Roman Empire since they followed an outlawed religion. Christians were brutally executed by wild animals or gladiators in arenas for Elevating Mary Magdalene as Jesus’ wife and head the entertainment of the Roman populace. Many of the church is based on wishful thinking by some, were crucified. Others were drenched with fuel and but certainly not on the historic documents. lit as street lamps. In spite of the horrible persecution of the early church, Christianity not only survived, The Early Church: but flourished. There is no historical evidence that What Really Happened? Christianity ever practiced matriarchal paganism or worshiped the sacred feminine. In fact, early In The Da Vinci Code, the description of the early Christianity was careful to separate itself from the church so radically differs from what has been mystical beliefs and practices of the mystery religions historically accepted that it is startling. According of the first few centuries. to the book, early Christianity was steeped in the worship of the sacred feminine, complete with Women not only played a key role in the ministry mystical doctrines and sexual rituals. The book of Jesus and the Apostles, but Christianity raised the claims, “Constantine and his male successors status of women in a particularly male-dominated successfully converted the world from matriarchal Greco-Roman culture. The Apostle Paul makes paganism to patriarchal Christianity by waging a it clear that there is an equal standing among all campaign of propaganda that demonized the sacred believers, regardless of sex, social standing, or feminine, obliterating the goddess from modern ethnicity (Gal. 3:28; Col. 3:11). 10 TORCH / Summer 2006 The “support” for this view of the early church really comes from New Age writers in the 1980s. Reading their books, it is easy to see the absence of anything in the historical record for their views (for example, see Margaret Starbird’s book, The Goddess and the Gospels: Reclaiming the Sacred Feminine). Recasting the courage and commitment of the early Christian church into New Age, mystical The existence of these translations points to the feminism is painful to the memory of those who widespread acceptance of the New Testament early stood firm in their love for Christ and suffered in the history of the church. The missionary zeal greatly. of the early Christians is humbling in light of the persecution they were enduring. If the manuscripts The New Testament: and translations are not enough, more than 86,000 Does the Bible Tell Me So? quotations of the New Testament are present in the writings of the early church leaders. These leaders Another challenge to the historic understanding wrote sermons, devotionals, and other helpful of the early church is that the New Testament we works as they ministered. It is possible to take possess today is not the earliest or most accurate these quotations and put together the entire New recording of early church belief and practice. No Testament with the exception of just 11 verses. All of doubt, The Da Vinci Code has no understanding these writings demonstrate the authority with which of illumination and revelation or of the process of the early church held the New Testament and enables canonization. These are areas that each Christian us to see what was written long before Constantine must read up on for his or her own assurance as well entered the picture. as communicating the truth to those who ask. The Da Vinci Code goes on to claim there were The Da Vinci Code says, “The Bible is a product of more than 80 gospels circulating at the time of man, my dear. Not of God … The Bible, as we know Constantine and that he chose the four which best it today, was collated by the pagan Roman emperor fit his political and religious agenda: Matthew, Constantine the Great” (p. 231). The speaker goes on Mark, Luke, and John. The truth is, there never to say that the Bible “has evolved through countless have been 80 gospels (where Brown came up with translations, additions, and revisions. History has that number is hard to discover). Further, the early never had a definitive version of the book” (p. 231). Christian leaders affirmed the authority of the four The truth is that many manuscripts of the Bible gospels. For example, Papias of Phrygia (A.D. 130) were around before Constantine and still exist today. quotes from Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Justin Scholars can look at these manuscripts and see what Martyr (A.D. 140) considered all four Gospels to be the early church believed and practiced. It is no Scripture. secret. The Gnostic gospels that Dan Brown refers to in The Da Vinci Codewere written in the second It is also important to realize that modern versions of and third centuries and bear little resemblance to the the Bible are not the product of centuries of copying, authentic New Testament. additions, and revisions. Modern translations actually work from the oldest manuscripts we have. They do It is important to know, too, that the New Testament not look to the latest translations, but rather go all was translated into many languages throughout the the way back in history to the ancient manuscripts world very soon after the founding of the church. that are available today. T

Summer 2006 / TORCH 11 Christians and the Movies

he movie version of The Da Vinci Code was released May 19, starring Tom Hanks and directed by Ron THoward. The breathless countdown began months ago. Some Christians approached it as an abomination and called for a boycott. Others prepared for battle, readying themselves to answer questions and refute the errors. Some called the movie a threat; others said it was an opportunity. Some advised avoiding it; others encouraged engagement.

The varied response is no surprise, really. Christians and the cinema have always had a rocky relationship. Christians are supportive when a film is positive toward Christianity, or at least family values. Churches bought tickets by the millions so that members could view The Passion of the Christ. Last year’s Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe was also a top draw among Christians. However, when a movie criticizes Christianity or mocks our values, our responses range from avoidance to outrage to unthinking acceptance.

But it is this broader context of movies that should be an important concern for Christians. Even though we may wish it

12 TORCH / Summer 2006 Some Christian leaders say that The Da Vinci Code will go the way of The Last Temptation of Christ, Martin Scorsese’s 1998 film based on the book by and Nikor Kazantzakis. Christians I disagree. The differences are far too the Movies great to think that The Da Vinci Code will be mired in obscurity.

The Last Temptation of Christ was made were not so, the American entertainment “More theology is culture influences the values and behavior of for $7 million and society more than government, schools, or conveyed in, and probably appeared in 123 churches. retained from, one hour theaters. It grossed of popular television, than $8.3 million, most of Bill Wichterman, policy advisor to Senator that because Christians Majority Bill Frist, admits, “Will and Grace, from all of the sermons picketed, boycotted, WWE SmackDown, Eminem, and Madonna have more to do with the direction of our that are delivered on and threatened, and culture than all of Congress.” Phyllis Tickle, any given weekend in as a result drew such formerly of Publishers Weekly, comments America’s synagogues, attention to the film in her book, God-Talk in America, “More that more people went theology is conveyed in, and probably churches, and mosques.” to see it than would retained from, one hour of popular television than from all of the sermons What a surprise! Jesus Himself said it have otherwise. It was that are delivered on any given weekend would be this way (John 15:18-19). a bad film that died a in America’s synagogues, churches, and natural death. mosques.” How are we to respond? On the other hand, With entertainment having this much The tag line of the movie version The Da Vinci Code influence, we dare not run! of The Da Vinci Code gives us our challenge: “Seek the truth.” And, had a budget of more There are certainly parts of popular I would go one step further: Share the than $100 million for culture that should be avoided. However, Truth. Engage the culture in significant filming. Huge stars the world of entertainment is more than conversations that demonstrate the and an Oscar-winning a battleground; it provides a forum for heart and mind of Christ. Be prepared director ensured its cultural discourse. Non-Christians will make to give an answer for the hope that lies place in more than movies that are non-Christian. Those who within you. “Be wise in the way you are antagonistic to Jesus Christ will write act toward outsiders; make the most of 3,000 theaters on songs that are antagonistic to Jesus Christ. every opportunity” (Col. 4:5). T May 19.

Summer 2006 / TORCH 13 How Did Leonardo Get Involved in All This?

et’s start with the title: The Da Vinci Code. “Da Vinci” is of course a reference to Leonardo Lda Vinci. Art historians are miffed at the title of In the book, Brown describes Leonardo as a flamboyant the book and the way the artist is described. The artist in homosexual who received hundreds of lucrative Vatican question is referred to as Da Vinci as though it were his commissions for his art. He was at odds with the church last name. Da Vinci is merely the city that Leonardo called because he knew the deep secret of the founding of home as a young man. Scholars and anyone who has a the church and what was hidden from the world. The little knowledge of art know him simply as Leonardo. characters go on to describe Leonardo as one who produced an enormous amount of breathtaking Christian Leonardo was a Renaissance man — the Renaissance man. art (p. 45). The book proposes that Leonardo had a secret His favorite pastimes were scientific research, particularly life as a conspirator to hide the truth about Jesus and the regarding the human body and the design of weapons for early church. As a member of a secret society, he was war. pledged to hide these truths; however, he was not above

14 TORCH / Summer 2006 How Did Leonardo Get Involved in All This?

communicating these truths in his art. These “hidden’” references comprise the “code” Leonardo In fact, Leonardo used to keep the truth in public discourse. produced only 23 works of art that we know of — far fewer than any “important” artist — and Unfortunately, very little of how Leonardo is described is only 16 of them were finished. He was not at odds with true. As far as homosexuality is concerned, he was accused the church since he lived for three years in the Vatican. of a homosexual act, but the charge was thrown out. Did Leonardo hide secret messages in his work? That’s Even if he were homosexual, he was hardly flamboyant. where The Da Vinci Code turns a little silly. It’s all a part of In his work as an artist, he received only one Vatican the conspiracy. commission, not hundreds.

Summer 2006 / TORCH 15 Make the Most of the Opportunity

t is clear that The Da Vinci Code has a broad appeal in contemporary culture. It appeals to IPostmodernists who are suspicious of any current belief based upon historic events. It appeals to the non- religious who look for any opportunity to stick a thumb in the eye of religion. The Da Vinci Codeeven appeals to some Protestants who take every opportunity to slam the Roman Catholic Church. A wide range of conspiracy theorists also appreciate the book’s focus on cover-up and intrigue. Without question, The Da Vinci Code appeals to feminists and gay rights proponents who consider religion to be the last major obstacle to freewheeling sexual expression. Finally, The Da Vinci Code appeals to those with a transcendental/New Age worldview who are particularly inclined toward rituals and beliefs.

But while The Da Vinci Code may reinforce their views and prejudices, God may have a greater work in mind — to challenge them with the truth of Jesus Christ and God’s work in the world. 16 TORCH / Summer 2006 The vast majority of those who read the book and see the movie will know very little about the issues being raised. Many will believe what they read or see and take it as the truth. This is our opportunity to speak the truth clearly and compassionately — truly to engage the culture with the heart and mind of Christ. But how? to Jesus Christ for everyone. He goes on There are at least three opportunities for to describe how he gets into the hearts and Why The Da Vinci Christians. minds of those outside Christ, so that he can better represent Christ and communicate Code resonates First, we have the opportunity to make a the gospel to them. “I have become all with so many presentation of the truth about Jesus Christ, things to all men so that by all possible the early church, and the scriptures. means I might save some” (I Cor. 9:22). people in our culture The Apostle Peter challenges us to “sanctify is both a clue and The spiritual underpinnings ofThe Da Vinci Christ as Lord in your hearts. Always be a key. It is a clue ready to give an answer for the hope that is Code reveal the true hunger that only the within you to everyone who asks” (I Peter Bread of Life can satisfy. We must not only in that it tells us a 3:15). I think God is lobbing us a softball know how to exegete the Word but also how great deal about with the publication of The Da Vinci Code. to exegete the world for effective ministry. the spiritual hunger If a well-known Christian wanted to explain who Jesus really is, I doubt any media Third, we have the opportunity to that exists in this outlets would provide airtime unless it were demonstrate the power of the gospel. Postmodern culture purchased. Even then it is questionable if The Apostle Paul reminds us that God anyone would be interested enough to tune “always leads us in triumphal procession in that is desperately in. But over the past few months, a number Christ and through us spreads everywhere looking for truth of Christian leaders have been able to the fragrance of the knowledge of Him” and not finding it. explain the truth about Jesus Christ and the (II Cor. 2:14). With all of the challenges early church on national television programs about the person of Jesus, the early church, It is also a key in because the traditional view is challenged by and the authenticity of the scriptures, the that it provides us The Da Vinci Code. As God’s Spirit works in most powerful examples of the truth of the hearts and minds of millions of people, Christianity are the transformed lives of an opportunity to we must pray they will be open to the truth. the followers of Jesus Christ. As Paul says respond with the This means all Christians need to be aware elsewhere, “You yourselves are our letter” heart and mind of the answers to the questions that are (II Cor. 3:2-3). People may struggle with being raised. How well does the average historical evidence and interpretation, but of Christ to the Christian know the truth about these the truth of the power of Jesus Christ is seen statements made challenges? It’s time to learn! clearly in the new life we live. and the questions Second, the publication of the book and People today are not necessarily looking asked. release of the movie tell us a great deal about for clever arguments; they are looking for our culture. The Apostle Paul gives us an authentic lives. When they find them, they example when he makes himself a slave to will ask what it is you believe that gives you everyone in order that he might win them hope and joy in a world of despair. You (I Cor. 9:19). His desire is to build a bridge must be prepared to tell them. T Summer 2006 / TORCH 17 Joining the Conversation

18 TORCH / Summer 2006 By Carol Estes

ike some of you perhaps, I am an avid reader. My husband, like some of you perhaps, is an avid runner. I think all people should be crazy readers, and Lhe keeps trying to convince me to be a crazy runner. We’ll come back to this later!

I confess to growing stacks of books everywhere. There are books in my office, my shelves at home, my desk, and my nightstand. My nicely arranged bookshelves are crisscrossed with multilayers of tomes which soon become stacked into horizontally tiered cake forms and then overflow under chairs and beds. And do I read all these books? You bet … sometimes two or three at a time! Like I said, I love to read! So, with so many books available, how do I choose the books I read? Well, maybe the more important questions are “Why do I read a book in the first place? And why don’t Conversation I read a book?” Here are some of my unique reasons. They may or may not be yours.

Summer 2006 / TORCH 19 I read because I am curious. I want to I read The Da Vinci Code soon after it hit be someone I cannot be. I want to go the best-seller list. Not because it was on somewhere I cannot go or feel something I that list, but because while rolling up my have not felt. I read to pay attention to the mat after a yoga exercise class, the woman wider world, to experience other “camera next to me asked, “So, what do you think angles” on life. I read because I love and of the book The Da Vinci Code?” Another respect language. To me, language is both a woman overheard her and made a comment, playground and a cathedral. Perhaps most and I, not having read the book yet, couldn’t importantly, I read because I find that all join the conversation. I’m not an extrovert, these little and charming stories, all these so it wasn’t about not being “in” socially, but dark tales and great love stories, remind it was a sort of signal to me. What I read me of the One True Story. In almost every grows out of the whys certainly, but I have volume I devour, I hear echoes of something also found that choosing the next book to that is my own heart’s best food. I read to read is like following clues in a scavenger get in on the conversation … to listen, to hunt. I use several very good annotated have a voice, a place at the table. book lists which help guide my reading, but beyond that I “follow rabbit trails” into And what are some reasons I don’t read a the next book and the next. I read reviews, book? I don’t read because someone tells I keep my ear to the ground, I solicit me I should (with the exception of required recommendations from all my reading textbook readings … sorry, students!). I don’t friends, I pick up a book just because I like read because I think somehow that I will be the weight of it in my hand. I believe that smarter or more popular. I don’t God is behind it all! read so that I can bash a book or an author or an idea. Well, this signal, this being “outside the I don’t read only to conversation” led me to the library in search use the book as a of this book. Just to see what it was all springboard about. Just to be able to talk about it. I liked to witness. it immediately (even before it was a movie). Oh, in some ways, it bordered on being what I call a “beach read” — it was interesting, fast, and plot-driven. It was a mystery and a love story. What’s not to like! Oh, and did I mention that Jesus and Mary Magdalene are an item? Now, that intrigued me and disturbed me. Now I had to think about this. Now I had to converse; first with the book and author, then with the scriptures, then with myself, then my friends, and finally my culture. This is where I loved to be … with literature and myself and the Word and the world …

20 TORCH / Summer 2006 in on the conversation! I was curious now, the natural scheme of things as I was going seeing a completely new view, wondering at about my daily activities. the challenges this small story presented to the bigger one I loved. It wasn’t about only Bottom line? My advice to you is, don’t this book now (and if a book is worth read The Da Vinci Code if you are not reading at all, it seldom is), but about larger already a reader. Don’t do it just to open issues, larger questions. doors to talk about all of the interesting questions it raises about faith and life. So, should you read The Da Vinci Code? Don’t try to pretend to critique the book Well, remember I told you that my if you only see the movie (anyways, the husband is a runner. He actually is a book is almost always better). But, if you particular kind of runner — a marathoner. are a person of faith who is prayerfully He loves to run, and he has runner friends cultivating your reading habits as interests and runner gear and runner places that and passions that God has given you, then he goes. He can and does have authentic definitely throw your hat in the ring, have and remarkable conversations with these an opinion, and share what the Bible says. people — not just about running, but Just be yourself, be authentic! Frederick about a whole range of topics. I can only Buechner, in his book Wishful Thinking: go and cheer them on. It would be crazy A Theological ABC, says, “The place God and immediately detectable (believe me) if calls you to is the place where your deep I tried to talk to this gang as if I were one gladness and the world’s deep hunger of them. He has a “place at the table” in meet.” Your reading of this intriguing book those conversations that I will never have. will open exciting opportunities for you And I was prompted to read The Da Vinci to participate in significant and thought- Code, not because I thought I should, but provoking conversations. When you know because I love to read and it came up in what you are talking about and care about

Summer 2006 / TORCH 21 what you If you begin in the right place and for the are talking right reasons, you will have a welcome and about, other valued voice in the larger conversation and people who know you will have a ball doing it! about and care about that also Now, lest you think that I am letting all will listen. you non-readers off the hook, I hope that I can convince you to join us groupies who If you do decide to read passionately love literature and talking The Da Vinci Code and want about literature and reading books and to enter that conversation, buying books and … oh, don’t get me let me suggest that you become started again! Impossible, you say? Hey, “conversant” in this way and in this my husband keeps trying to turn me into order: a runner! I firmly resist the idea of 26 miles at a go, but who knows, one of these 1) With the book — read carefully what days I might even put on my own pair of the author has said. Be fair, be respectful, Sauconys and head out the door! There’s and understand clearly his arguments and always hope! And the temptation of a place background (this may take a little research at that conversational table! T on your part).

2) With the scriptures — search God’s Word to see what He has to say on this subject (this, too, may take some effort and care). Live in the Word, and let the Word live in you.

3) With yourself — develop your critical thinking skills and cultivate disciplines of life that will allow God to develop in you character qualities which reflect the fruits of the Spirit (never try to engage culture with your head alone … God cares about who you are more than what you know).

4) With friends — those you can actually talk arol Estes is an assistant professor of education with and those authors with whom you “talk” C in other readings, both those who agree with at Cedarville University, her alma mater. She received her you and those who disagree with you (you do graduate education at The have friends like that, don’t you?). Only then Ohio State University. Estes can you proceed to number five. resides in Worthington, Ohio, with her husband, Dan. They 5) With the larger culture — our voices enjoy their three grown children have a fair chance, then, to be heard (and spouses), a Siamese cat, and respected, even if others are not in and lots of books! agreement with us.

22 TORCH / Summer 2006 The Da Vinci Code

“Archaeological Confirmation of the New Testament” Investigating Faith: What Christians Believe and Why F.F. Bruce. In Revelation and the Bible, edited by Lee Strobel Carl Henry. (Baker Book House, 1969) www.leestrobel.com/

Breaking the Da Vinci Code Jesus and Da Vinci Darrell L. Bock (Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2004) Campus Crusade for Christ www.jesusanddavinci.com The Canon of Scripture F.F. Bruce (InterVarsity Press, 1988) Jesus Under Fire: Modern Scholarship Reinvents the “The Da Vinci Code” Michael J. Wilkins and J.P. Moreland, Eds. Craig Bloomberg (Denver Seminary Journal, (Zondervan Publishing House, 1995) 2004, Vol. 7) Know the Truth … Share the Truth The Da Vinci Code: A Quest for Answers Focus on the Family Josh McDowell (Green Key Books, 2006) www.go.family.org/davinci

The Da Vinci Code Blog Lost Scriptures: Books That Did Not Make It Into the Hollywood Jesus New Testament www.hollywoodjesus.com/da_vinci_code.htm Bart D. Ehrman (Oxford University Press, 2003)

Da Vinci Code Breaker Mystery Religions and Early Christianity in Historical DefendYourFaith.com. and Literary Studies www.davinci-code-breaker.com Bruce M. Metzger (E.J. Brill, 1968)

The Da Vinci Code Fraud: Cracked by the Critics Pre-Christian Gnosticism, 2nd ed. www.davincifraud.com Edwin M. Yamauchi (Baker Book House, 1983)

Da Vinci Code: Separate Fact from Fiction The Text of the New Testament RBC Ministries Bruce M. Metzger (Oxford University Press, 1968) www.rbcdavincicode.org The Truth about Da Vinci The Da Vinci Deception Westminster Theological Seminary Erwin W. Lutzer (Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., www.thetruthaboutdavinci.com 2004) The Verdict of History: Conclusive Evidence for The Da Vinci Dialogue the Life of Jesus www.thedavincidialogue.com Gary R. Habermas (Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1988)

Summer 2006 / TORCH 23 edarville University is about award-winning academics, about Cvibrant ministries, about state-of-the-art facilities. But above all, we are about students! The Good News Students — and making it possible for them to experience Through the years there have been Cedarville — are the focus of our annual fund, gift planning, and many efforts to distort and destroy endowment initiatives. Christianity. The Da Vinci Code is Meet Grant. merely the latest attempt. Yet when carefully evaluated by the data of Although he worked hard throughout the summer to secure history, this book is shown to be the money to return to Cedarville, erroneous in so many places. he discovered he would come up short. Grant wrote, “I do not even If the book is false, what then is know how to explain all that I went through trying to make supported by history? The facts are sure I had enough money to simply these: the Bible is come back.” He wanted to be trustworthy; Jesus is God; He did at Cedarville, but he finally left it die and raise from the dead; and totally up to God. His mission, as taught by Him and In late July, he received a letter from us — awarding a scholarship understood by His followers, is not funded by friends and alumni — that assured him he was going to be about the sacred feminine – it is able to return. “God truly worked an amazing thing. It was such about knowing and having a a blessing to me!” Grant believes God is using Cedarville to prepare him for a personal relationship with the only profession and a life of ministry. Yet he would not be here were it not true God. for Cedarville family members who gave unselfishly to provide this educational opportunity. How is this possible? The Bible Please consider how God might use your gift to make it possible for students to receive a Cedarville education. God uses gifts of all says that our sins have separated sizes to help our students! us from God, but that God, in His For more information, visit www.cedarville.edu/giftlegacy love, has provided a way through or call 1-800-766-1115. Jesus’ death for our sins to be forgiven and our relationship with God to be restored. Have you received God’s provision, Jesus, as your Savior? “For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him” (John 3:17).

24 TORCH / Summer 2006 What’s in a Name?

A name represents God-given potential and wide-open possibilities. A name is a unique person who will become a leader, an influencer, a professional, a friend. A name is a potential Cedarville student – someone we will, by God’s grace, equip for lifelong leadership and service.

Do you know a student who would benefit from the Cedarville experience?

Send us a name. Better yet, send us at least three names, and we’ll send you a Cedarville T-shirt. www.cedarville.edu/names

Next Steps • Go to www.cedarville.edu/names to complete a quick and easy online form. • Enter the names of three or more high school students. • Wait for your T-shirt to arrive in the mail. • Pray that God will use your influence to equip a student to make a difference for Christ. Summer 2006 / TORCH 25 Visit www.cedarville.edu/whatsabuzz and click on “Torch” to find out more about these stories and what’s going on at Cedarville University! Hurricane Katrina Response medical professionals (Dr. Anne McWilliams and Dr. Robert Desiring to share the love of Christ with Hurricane Katrina Reece) took the pro and middle-ground positions, respectively. victims, more than 600 Cedarville University volunteers have assisted in Gulf Coast clean-up since October 2005. Evans and Caner Lead The University has raised $144,223 Evangelism Celebration toward relief efforts, with $80,000 More than 1,000 pastors, church leaders, and others came donated by students in the first day to Cedarville University in February to be refreshed and of the fund drive. The need is still challenged at the 2006 Evangelism great — find out what you can do Celebration. Keynote speakers to help! included Dr. Tony Evans, pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship Wireless Service in Texas and president of The Expands on Campus Urban Alternative, and Dr. Ergun In the fall of 2005, Cedarville became the first university in Caner, dean of Liberty Theological the eastern U.S. to install advanced wireless networking by Seminary. 5G Wireless Communications. By this fall, the campus will have full Forensics Team Highest-Ranking wireless Internet coverage outdoors Among NFA Christian Schools and in residence halls, classrooms, As a finish to their 2005-06 season, the CU Forensics Team took and common areas. eighth place in the President’s I Division of the National Forensics Association National Tournament. Cedarville was the highest- Debate Team Finishes ranking Christian school at the event and tied with Kent State Strong University as the top Ohio school. The CU Debate Team has capped off their season with a #14 ranking out of 400 schools within edarville University the National Parliamentary Debate Association (NPDA). In welcomed Tim Goeglein, addition to this strong improvement over previous years, the specialC assistant to the President team received the top ranking within NPDA for the state of of the United States and deputy Ohio, for Cedarville’s five-state district, and among institutions director of the White House affiliated with the Council for Christian Colleges and Office of Public Liaison, as its Universities (CCCU). commencement speaker on May 6. As Goeglein stood before the KeyBank Trading 656 graduates and thousands of Center parents, faculty, staff, and friends, he passed on a personal message from President George W. Bush and spoke on Opens on Campus “The Duty of the Christian Citizen.” From the flashy electronic data ticker to the live Bloomberg feed, students in Cedarville University’s Department of Business Administration have a market-savvy new environment in which to explore finance. The KeyBank Trading Center officially opened on November 4, 2005.

Approaching the Assisted Suicide Debate Dr. Dennis Sullivan, professor of biology, took part in the debate “Assisted Suicide: Compassionate Care or Slippery Slope?” at Cedarville University on April 4. Sullivan spoke in opposition to physician-assisted suicide, while two other local

26 TORCH / Summer 2006 UpcomingUpcoming EventsEvents Visit www.cedarville.edu/events for more information! July 12-13 Conference on 10-21 Sports Camps Christianity and Literature 17-21 Academic Camps 14 Junior Jam August 18-20 Getting Started 14 Admissions Visit Day - Weekend Theatre

21-24 Fall Bible Conference November 3-4 Parents Weekend September 16 Admissions Visit Day - 9-12 National Christian Social Work Multicultural Student Leader Conference 23 Three-Story Evangelism Training 17-18 Worldview Weekend

October 18 Admissions Visit Day - Science and Math 6-8 Homecoming 27-28 Planet Wisdom

The following is just a sampling of CU events on the road. CUCU onon thethe RoadRoad Visit www.cedarville.edu/reps for more events and information. June September 24-25 HeartSong 10 Dr. Bill Brown Indianapolis, Indiana Ypsilanti, Michigan

26 The Master’s Puppets October Ripley, New York 19 Brass Choir Oakland, Maryland July 5 HeartSong 22 Brass Choir Wyoming, Michigan Lancaster, Ohio

6 Lifeline Players November Haxtun, Colorado 2-3 Dr. Bill Brown Toronto, Canada 16 Dr. Paul Dixon Kalamazoo, Michigan 5 Concert Chorale Schererville, Indiana August 6 Dr. Bill Brown Cary, North Carolina

Summer 2006 / TORCH 27 Everything you’d want for him ... [dXjhChrist-centered focus. VXVYZb^XhWorld-class academics. ZmeZg^ZcXZhLife-changing experiences.

Truth learned. Truth lived. CEDARVILLE jc^kZgh^in

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